Trends in Australian adolescents' sun‐protection behaviours: implications for health campaigns

Abstract

Objective: Protecting the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is critical during adolescence to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer later in life, but adolescents tend to be less likely to engage in sun‐protective behaviours than adults. The present study examined changes and trends (2001/02–2011/12) in sun‐protection behaviours among adolescents living in Western Australia – a region with high levels of UV radiation. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted during 10 summers between 2001/02 and 2011/12 to investigate how often adolescents engaged in various sun‐protection behaviours, including outdoor protective measures (wearing a hat, wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, seeking shade) and avoidance of UV radiation by staying inside. Results: Hat use significantly decreased between 2001/02 and 2011/12, whereas use of sunscreen and wearing covering clothes were unchanged in most survey years relative to 2001/02. Use of sunglasses peaked in 2006/07 and 2007/08, but returned to first survey year levels in 2011/12, while staying inside was more frequently reported from 2006/07 onwards. Conclusions: New approaches are needed to minimise reactance responses in adolescents while fostering favourable attitudes to sun protection. Implications and opportunities for interventions to promote better sun‐protection practices among adolescents are provided.

Vitamin D status in Thai dermatologists and working‐age Thai population

“…The majority of our subjects spent time driving between 6.00-10.00 hours in the morning and 14.00-18.00 hours in the afternoon, during which UV-B radiation is lower. 40 A 5-year study from 2007 to 2012 of adults' sun-protective behavior showed an increasing trend of sunscreen use, but other protection means remained stable. One important contributing factor is a cultural preference for tanned skin color in Caucasians while Asians prefer a fair complexion.…”

“…A 10-year study from 2001 to 2012 of Australian adolescents' sun-protective behavior revealed a significantly decreasing trend of using a hat, unchanged trends of using sunscreen and protective clothing (usually and always in 66% and 56% of the study population, respectively), but an increasing trend of staying inside (usually and always in 45% of the participants). 40 A 5-year study from 2007 to 2012 of adults' sun-protective behavior showed an increasing trend of sunscreen use, but other protection means remained stable. 41 A study of Canadian outdoor workers found that just over half always or often protected themselves by covering their head (58%), wearing protective clothing (56%) or wearing sunglasses (54%), and only 29% used sunscreen.…”

Ultraviolet radiation exposure among Belgrade high school students: analysis of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour

“…Wearing a hat as a protective measure experienced a decline in popularity even among Australian adolescents. 37 According to our results, Belgrade high school students do wear sunglassesone-third always, and as much as 94.35% at least sometimes. When Greek and Turkish adolescents were asked the same question (possible answers were yes or no), 25.5% of Greek 17 and 44% of Turkish students 36 answered affirmatively.…”

“…Three quarters of Belgrade adolescents who participated (75.77%) yet denied suffering severe sunburns accompanied by pain, redness and blisters; only every seventh student suffered these (14%).As for wearing a hat/cap during summertime, only 3.1% of students wear it always and additional 8.4% often; in similar studies, the answer to the same question was ‘always’ for half of Greek and Turkish interviewees. Wearing a hat as a protective measure experienced a decline in popularity even among Australian adolescents . According to our results, Belgrade high school students do wear sunglasses – one‐third always, and as much as 94.35% at least sometimes.…”

“…This is an example of the importance of adopting positive behaviour habits regarding sun protection from the earliest age. A recent study from USA showed that still, sun safety practices were not common among schools and that high schools were less likely than elementary schools and middle schools to adopt such practices …”